Maine Chytrid Laboratory                           BIBLIOGRAPHY AND RESOURCES

Welcome to the Longcore Laboratory's chytrid information site. Chytrids are basal in the fungal kingdom and most chytrids form uniflagellated reproductive cells. Until recently, all zoosporic eufungi were classified in the Chytridiomycota. Advances in molecular phylogenetics, however, support the elevation of the Blastocladiales (e.g., Allomyces, Catenaria, Blastocladiella) to the Blastocladiomycota. The mammalian gut fungi are now also classified in a separate phylum, the Neocallimastigomycota. Molecular evidence suggests that some other chytrids belong to lineages independent of the Chytridiomycota; Olpidium may be more closely allied to members of the Zygomycota, and Rozella seems to be basal to the other zoosporic fungi.

We maintain a culture collection of diverse chytrids and study their systematics and taxonomy. We find chytrids by placing small bits of organic matter with water samples or soil with water added and eventually isolate them into pure culture. We can then monitor development with the light microscope and observe zoospores with transmission electron microscopy. We construct phylogenetic trees with information obtained from ribosomal DNA or other genomic regions.

For suggestions, contributions, and requests please contact Joyce Longcore.

Research leading to this website was supported by the National Science Foundation's programs Partnerships for Enhancing Expertise in Taxonomy (PEET) and Integrated Research Challanges in Environmental Biology (IRCEB). Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation or the institutions supporting the authors.